Characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed for an Afrotherian species endemic to southern Africa, Elephantulus myurus (Macroscelidea : Macroscelididae)

Abstract:

Fourteen microsatellite loci were developed for the eastern rock sengi, Elephantulus myurus
Thomas & Schwann, 1906 by incorporating genetic diversity from across its range in South
Africa. Sengis are small mammals belonging to the order Macroscelidea, which comprises 19
species, all of which are endemic to Africa. The loci were amplified in 66 individuals from
six localities. An average of 10.5 alleles per locus were identified, with observed and
expected heterozygosity values ranging from 0.081 – 0.909 and 0.484 – 0.885, respectively. We also investigated cross-species amplification within the family and found variation in
amplification success for five different species. The preliminary results from these
amplification efforts could aid further studies into aspects of species diversity and biology.
The markers described here represent the first set of variable nuclear markers for the genus
Elephantulus, and, together with a set of 8 recently developed markers for Rhynchocyon
petersi, Bocage 1880, the first markers for the Order Macroscelidea.